Homes closer to being razed

Public hearing about 6 houses set for August 30.

Public hearing about 6 houses set for August 30.

August 15, 2006|CHRIS GAUTZ Tribune Staff Writer

PLYMOUTH -- A public hearing has been set for the end of the month to condemn and then demolish six homes the city deems unsafe. Plymouth Building Commissioner Dennis Emmons presented the board of public works and safety his report at Monday night's meeting. He gave the board copies of the certified letters prepared by City Attorney Joe Simanski, which were mailed to the owners of the six homes on Thursday. The homes are located at 824 N. Plum St.; 620 S. Plum St.; 624 S. Plum St.; 213 N. Fourth St.; 1105 N. Center St.; and 1107 N. Center St. These homes have routinely shown up on Emmons' monthly reports of unsafe structures and have been the topic of numerous meetings. Larry Fisher, whose wife Jan, owns a home adjacent to one of the properties in question, had asked the city last month to finally take action and tear these homes down. The Fishers attended Monday's meeting to hear an update. "We're pleased to see action has taken place," Fisher said. Plymouth Mayor Gary Cook said barring any objections from the homeowners, all of the homes will be demolished by the end of the year. "I think it's a step in the right direction," Cook said. Cook said Emmons has been doing a good job in monitoring the condition of homes in the city. Because of his efforts, Cook said three other homeowners have voluntarily demolished their homes recently. In his report to the board, Emmons stated these six landowners "have failed to act timely or not at all when receiving noncompliance letters in the past." The public hearing will take place at 6 p.m. Aug. 30 at the city building. The purpose of the hearing will be to declare the properties unsafe and to ask the board of public works and safety to condemn the homes and begin the process of demolition.